One of the most important things we can do to lose weight and achieve the body shape we desire is to change the way we eat. Many of us have probably heard the phrase “abs are made in the kitchen,” and this is one of the most accurate mantras in the fitness industry. There are many elements of a healthy diet, but this article is going to focus on the simple and most important changes we can make to begin to fix the problems with the American diet.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably never tried strength training with weights. In fact, doing so might even be very intimidating to you, and seem like a good way to guarantee you’re going to get injured.

What the heck is a Spartan Race, and why should I try one this summer?? I’m glad you asked. A Spartan Race is Reebok’s obstacle course race, similar to a Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash. They range from 3 miles to marathon distance, depending on your level of running fitness and how much you want to challenge yourself. Each Spartan race course features 20-30 creative obstacles that will challenge your strength and endurance in a really fun way.

The sauna has been widely used all over the world, especially in colder climates like the Scandinavian countries. In Finland in fact, nearly every home is built with a sauna in it, and for good reason! Saunas provide a myriad health benefits, including muscle recovery, flushing toxins, stimulating blood flow, improving skin health, and they can boost cardiovascular endurance.

This one’s for the ladies… sorry fellas! When I first started getting into fitness, the only thing I was focused on was losing weight and being thin. Then once I lost the amount of weight I wanted to, I wanted to “tone” everything and lose that last 10 pounds. I figured I would just increase the intensity of my cardio and that would solve it, sounds about right?

So, January looked fantastic for you and your goals! You were in the gym at least three days a week, you were paying closer attention to what your nutritional habits looked like, self-discipline was in check, maybe even getting a little more rest at night.

Happy 2017, CSC Family! In thinking about resolutions for 2017, I find myself circling back to the same, popular ideas from previous years: be healthier, get more sleep, eat better, etc. Realistically, how long do those resolutions last, maybe a month or two? Too often, we set the bar unrealistically high and then burn out because we can’t maintain whatever we promised to do (for example, going to the gym 7 days a week).

BY: JULIE BOBOLA AKA “DANCING WITH JULIE” …and time for the good home cooking and sweets we love. This can be a challenging time to stay in your fitness and eating routines, but it is important to have a plan so you can enjoy the holidays! I will be honest: there is NO way I can resist my Mum’s green bean casserole or generations-old Italian cookies; I’m only human!

BY MICHAELA YOUNGBERG AND HECTOR PLAZA Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up and say, “I’m going to skip the gym today because I’m just not feeling it,” or “I’m just so tired from work today, I’ll skip the gym today?” Then one skip-day turns into two and so on, then the next thing you know you haven’t been to the gym in weeks. Guess what… you’re not the only one. We’re human; we’ve all done it. One of the things that keep me motivated (and could motivate you too!) is looking forward to doing a partner workout with another person. I never thought I would enjoy working out with someone, let alone someone talking to me while I was in the gym until Hector came up to me in the middle of a workout one day and said, “Let’s do a partner workout.” I…